6/2/2010 10:04:00 PM
Art Attack: Elementary school mural getting a 'lighter' facelift
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Matt Hinshaw/The Daily Courier
Mural Mice Pamela J. Smith, co-artist, and R.E. Wall, co-artist and project director, sit on the scaffolding in front of the Miller Valley School mural titled “ Go on Green” Wednesday afternoon in Prescott. In the next few days the artists will be making adjustments to the new mural. |
 | | | The Prescott Downtown Mural Project recently completed its latest mural at Miller Valley School with the help of the Mural Mice and Miller Valley School students. The Daily Courier Staff Photographer Matt Hinshaw attended the dedication program, parade, and play on Friday May 21, 2010 and captured the festivities. |
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By CINDY BARKS and PAULA RHODEN
The Daily Courier
PRESCOTT - A new mural at Miller Valley Elementary School that depicts children of several races using "green" transportation methods appears to have struck a nerve among some Prescott residents.
Since the late-May unveiling of the "Go on Green" mural, dozens of local residents have expressed their views - both pro and con - about the painting that covers two exterior walls at the school at Prescott's Four-Points intersection.
An article about the unveiling on The Daily Courier's website generated about 60 online reader comments, while Prescott Unified School District and Prescott City Hall reported getting calls.
Although many of the comments on the Courier's website offer unqualified admiration for the mural, others are harshly critical, using words such as "tacky," "ugly" and "ghetto."
The subtext in some of the comments: race.
R.E. Wall, director of the Prescott Downtown Mural Project, described weeks of tense working conditions for the "Mural Mice," the group of artists responsible for the Miller Valley mural and several others around town.
As the Miller Valley mural took shape, Wall said, he and the other artists working at the site heard regular racial slurs from the passengers of cars driving by.
Wall reports hearing comments such as "You're desecrating our school," "Get the ni----- off the wall," and "Get the sp-- off the wall."
"The pressure stayed up consistently," Wall said. "We had two months of cars shouting at us."
He attributes the start of the racial controversy to recent comments that Prescott City Councilman Steve Blair made on his KYCA radio talk show about the mural.
On his May 21 show, for instance, Blair said, "I am not a racist individual, but I will tell you depicting a black guy in the middle of that mural, based upon who's president of the United States today and based upon the history of this community when I grew up, we had four black families - who I have been very good friends with for years - to depict the biggest picture on that building as a black person, I would have to ask the question, 'Why?'"
On Wednesday, Blair again emphasized that "I'm not a racist by any stretch of the imagination, but whenever people start talking about diversity, it's a word I can't stand."
Blair questions whether the mural is representative of Prescott, noting, "The focus doesn't need to be on what's different; the focus doesn't need to be on the minority all the time."
Blair said he has received a number of calls from long-time Prescott residents who ask, "Who authorized that graffiti on the wall?" He added: "What these people don't like is somebody forcing diversity down their throats."
Wall said that the "pressure" reached such a level this past week that his group has been asked to lighten the faces of the mural's main subject, as well as the other children in the mural.
"They want us to lighten up the forehead and the cheeks (of the boy in the center), and make him look like he is coming into the light," Wall said, adding that school officials asked to have all of the children's faces appear more "radiant and happy."
That work began this past Sunday, when Wall and co-artist Pamela Smith began lightening up a portion of the boy's forehead. The work will continue during the next several days.
Blair said that even though he believes the Mural Mice are "truly artists," and that their other murals have been successful, "Art is in the eye of the beholder, but I say (the Miller Valley mural) looks like graffiti in L.A."
He also questions the choice of location for the mural. "From my standpoint, it's the most visible intersection in the City of Prescott, and one of the most historic buildings, and they're painting a mural on it?"
In addition, Blair suggested that the mural creators might not have made a good enough case in their storytelling for the mural. "I don't see anything that ties the community into that mural," he said.
Wall and representatives of the Prescott Alternative Transportation organization, which paid for the mural with money it receives through the Arizona Department of Transportation's Safe Routes to School program, emphasize the mural design was the result of extensive participation by Miller Valley Elementary School faculty and students.
And Paul Katan, the Safe Routes to School program coordinator, pointed out that the artists based the mural's subjects on several Miller Valley School students, who posed for a photo. The boy in the center is of Mexican descent, Katan added.
"I was very surprised to hear Councilman Blair on his radio show target the ethnic differences of the students who modeled for this mural as a problem," Katan said. "I see the students in the murals as a cross-section of the school's population."
Katan added, "The theme of the mural comes down to keeping kids healthy and safe in what can sometimes be a dangerous world."
Miller Valley Principal Jeff Lane explained that the mural artists showed six designs to the school's students. The students voted on their favorite and sent the top three designs to the teachers. The teachers selected the final design for the new mural.
"The teachers selected this design because it focused on children and their role in the environment," Lane said.
The Miller Valley Mural Committee met with the mural officials May 28 to talk about some changes before the mural was completed. Lane said the school committee, which included him and two teachers, asked the artists to work on the children's faces.
According to Lane, the committee wanted the artists to "make them look happier and more excited, fix the scale of the faces and remove some shadowing that made the faces darker than they are. We also wanted some changes to the banner."
The goal, the principal said, is to have the changes completed in two weeks.
Lane and Prescott Unified School District Superintendent Kevin Kapp confirmed that they have received calls about the new mural. While some of the calls were negative, the school officials said most of the comments were positive.
Kapp said some people were bothered that the artists painted the mural over "old red brick."
Other people, he said, did not understand the mural.
The mural celebrates the environment and Miller Valley as a green school. "It celebrates the diversity at Miller Valley," Kapp said.
Lane has also received "a few negative comments, but quite a few were positive. But the comments have slowed down. I think I only received one this past week."
Wall allows that some of the suggestions have been "constructive criticism," which he said the artists would use to make the mural more accurately depict the photos of the Miller Valley School models.
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Posted: Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Article comment by:
Joe Blow
This is another example of the rise of racism in Arizona. The best way to fight it is to expose it in the criticism of a children's mural on a wall. Steve Blair and other racists in government should be voted out.
Posted: Thursday, June 10, 2010
Article comment by:
Paul Tilman
A picture of Mary Poppins and kids would have drawn just as many street hecklers.
The controversy is made up. Enjoy the art and find more artists!
Posted: Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Article comment by:
How much LEAD is in that Paint?
RE: Article comment by: Summer In P.V.
You're correct, but art doesn't need to be blatently displayed if perceived as offensive by so many citizens. Let's take a vote, a real community vote on these distasteful murals popping up around town. Do we have that right, or does it only belong to you?
Posted: Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Article comment by:
Real American
Don't you just love the Racist comments on this Article. GET OUT, LEAVE if you don't like our comments.One Thing in 20 years the Latinos will be the Majority. Will they be Racist like the minority Anglos of that Day?
Posted: Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Article comment by:
Jim Williams
A friend wrote me a message yesterday saying she had seen this controversy over this mural in Prescott. She said I once had the impression that Arizona was a nice place to visit and that Prescott was especially nice but I am beginning to wonder if the whole state hasn't been taken over by racists who hate dark skinned people.
Strange, she said, because one of the most attractive reasons to visit Arizona should be the wonderful cultural art of the Latino and Native American people. You would think the people of Arizona would be proud of these indigenous people not ashamed of or offended by them.
Posted: Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Article comment by:
Summer In P.V.
To Fall Short of Being Michaelangelo:
Art is created and appreciated in all forms.
Posted: Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Article comment by:
Martha Y
I find it appalling that ignorant, drive-by hecklers would shout racial slurs at children. They worked on this project and should feel proud of what they've accomplished. I certainly am proud of them.
I find it highly ironic Blair tries to say he is not racist because he grew up with four black families and is "very good friends" with them. That only proves how deeply racist he is. Anyone who is not racist does not need to say "Look here, see the black friends I have?"
It is not supportive of his stance. He is a racist.
Posted: Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Article comment by:
James Hatford
I thought that this new council and mayor were supposed to be more responsive to the residents of Prescott.
I have written several emails and have yet to hear back from any of them.
Where is the mayor? why is he not taking leadership of this issue?
Marlin, come out, come out!
Posted: Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Article comment by:
tamara vargas
There is controversy due to the color of the skin of a child in a painting? Imagine trying to explain this to your child, What would you say? How could you explain it? What is motivating anger over the color on a child's skin in a painting? I teach my child about equality, about how Jesus and God would like us to love each other (even strangers) as our brothers and sisters- color, race, ethnicity, culture, these are things to be appreciated- these are the beautiful things we should see in each other. Don't hate what you should embrace. In the end, why does it matter that his skin was painted darker than yours- it's his skin, the boy who modeled for the painting, and there is nothing wrong with his skin.. so stop sending a message that there is.
Posted: Monday, June 07, 2010
Article comment by:
Fall short of being Michaelangelo
RE: Are any of you Artists?
That's not the point. The point is Why do we lower ourselves to this form of .........art? Surely we have someone in this country that could better represent us once we're allowed into the decision-making, if ever.
How much hemp are the artistic progressive dudes smokin', Bro?
Posted: Monday, June 07, 2010
Article comment by:
Mousie Tongue
Gotta tell you stubborn pacifists, that these murals should be created indoors, our own Sistine Chapel. There, anyone that wants to go inside to appreciate them can do so.
I have to say that I appreciate the rodent murals more than the ones that I have seen in communist countries, but ours may still be conveyed an undesired piece of work by many citizens in this country that have the same rights as you, and it's not race, it's theme and execution of the theme. Mice Makes Right?
I hope that we don't do a Mt. Rushmore mural. It would probably end up somewhat clownish in appearance.
Posted: Monday, June 07, 2010
Article comment by:
Mark Packer
Why do radio talk show people so often open their mouths and let things spew out without regard for others and without regard for how stupid it makes them look.
Personally, I like the mural and I think it's a great addition to our town. What are we teaching the children if we cave on this one?
Posted: Monday, June 07, 2010
Article comment by:
Be smart
I think Blair should have quickly taken responsibility for his stupid, insensitive remarks and openly and publicly apologized. I think the school officials' apologies are being accepted by the public because they came right out quickly and said, "We made a mistake." Is Blair above this?
Posted: Sunday, June 06, 2010
Article comment by:
Keri Lynn
FOLLOW THE MONEY. Investigate where the money came from to fund this mural project. Start with the Safe Routes to School Program. SRTS Arizona Federal funding so far has been $11,306,270.
Does the Prescott Courier do any kind of investigative journalism? I smell something rotten in our city. The innocent children and racism are just a cover-up!
Posted: Sunday, June 06, 2010
Article comment by:
Are any of you Artists?
If any people that have criticized the mural are artists, i'd like to see what you people can do! The mural might be a bit cartoonish, but it's also on a school building where children are going to be around it and looking at it every day they go to school.
there are different types of art, and i think you (people), saying "we need professional" mural painters to redo this mural are out of your damn mind. If the mural mice aren't professional enough for you, then why don't you people paint something and teach us all a lesson. The teachers of Miller Valley voted on many different kinds of murals, and this design is the one that won. There are different types of art, and there are different styles of art. Obviously there is no way that any piece of art will please everyone. But the people that don't like it should be more civilized about disliking it.
Posted: Sunday, June 06, 2010
Article comment by:
Boop-Oop -A-Doop
Let's really do it right and have some rookie cartoon artists paint a mural on the courthouse.
Posted: Sunday, June 06, 2010
Article comment by:
Macrena Sailor
"Do you see the problem we have here? Cowboy Prescott in one sentence attacks free speech of one group, while bemoaning the free speech of another person. No one prevented Mr.Blair from speaking, but Cowboy what Blair was saying is he wanted free speech removed from a building. "
Free speech? Perhaps you did not quite get the message. This was painted on a PUBLIC as in GOVERNMENT building with TAXPAYER funds with none of the Sunshine Laws adhered to and with zero notification of the PUBLIC and zero input sought from the PUBLIC. So, if the PUBLIC is supposed to have nothing to say about what a Government entity does, you won't object if someone paints over this mural and uses taxpayer dollars to paint Jesus Christ on a cross, right? After all, if the GOVERNMENT does it we musn't interfere with the GOVERNMENT'S free speech, right?
The First Amendment protects OUR speech FROM the Government, not the Government's speech, by the way.
Posted: Sunday, June 06, 2010
Article comment by:
Betty Boop
I feel sorry for the kids in this school now and for the ones to come. This racism is not supposed to be a part of their lives. They are just babies trying to live happily along with the other little kids, no matter their color and no matter their parents likes and dislikes. My daughter was a very loving special needs child who enjoyed life no matter who she was around. She loved it when people made her laugh and loved making others happy as well.I could never imagine being as petty and sellfish as these "adults" are who probably have nothing to do with school or the children going there, In my daughter's memory, I hope and pray to never make ANY child feel worthless or useless by trying to dimiss them as part of a community or group and telling they are "not of the right shade or color" to be honored in a picture that represents them, their friends, and the school where they're supposed to learn and grow to better by being caring, tolerant of others, kind and considerate! Hang in there kids. Even if things don't change now, there's always the future and you who try to change things when you grow up!
Posted: Sunday, June 06, 2010
Article comment by:
Sarah Smith
You should all be ashamed of yourselves.
Posted: Sunday, June 06, 2010
Article comment by:
Kate Robinson
I'm a 36-year resident of AZ with four mult-racial, multicultural kids born in AZ, and I'm watching this little drama unfold as I study for an MA in Wales. Arizona just keeps popping controversies right and left! It has both feet in its mouth this time. Why does this not surprise me?
Two of my four kids attended Miller Valley School ages ago. Good work, Miller Valley Students. Good work, Mural Mice. You've shone some light into a very dark place that needs light and then some. Stay strong. Keep working.
Posted: Sunday, June 06, 2010
Article comment by:
james phillips
100% correct Greg Thomas.
The people in charge in this Country need to stop jamming the PC agenda down everyone's throat.
I, for one, DO NOT want to melt.
Posted: Sunday, June 06, 2010
Article comment by:
I am not a racist but
Something to think about:
(CNN) -- Most Americans, white and black, see racism as a lingering problem in the United States, and many say they know people who are racist, according to a (2006) poll.
But few Americans of either race -- about one out of eight -- consider themselves racist.
And experts say racism has evolved from the days of Jim Crow to the point that people may not even recognize it in themselves. (Watch how many blacks are still afraid to stop in a Texas town )
A poll conducted last week by Opinion Research Corp. for CNN indicates that whites and blacks disagree on how serious a problem racial bias is in the United States.
Almost half of black respondents -- 49 percent -- said racism is a "very serious" problem, while 18 percent of whites shared that view. Forty-eight percent of whites and 35 percent of blacks chose the description "somewhat serious." (See the poll results)
Asked if they know someone they consider racist, 43 percent of whites and 48 percent of blacks said yes.
But just 13 percent of whites and 12 percent of blacks consider themselves racially biased.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/12/racism.poll/index.html
Posted: Sunday, June 06, 2010
Article comment by:
Greg Thomas
Article comment by: frances Pacheco
"Disgusting display of white anger and fear. The fact that this (man), Blair, mentions President Obama's race and the race of one of the images just shows you how these 'oh, I'm not racist" white folks CANNOT stand that the MAJORITY of American's elected a man of color.
KKK true colors are coming out in these towns, especially in Arizona.
I WILL NEVER visit ARIZONA again."
Good..stay the hell out! You're doing us all a favor with your "diversity" and ethno-centric agenda and attempts to shove it down the throat of the majority - especially since it's discrimantory against said majority!
The real "racist" here is you!
Enough is enough!
We don't want it here!
Posted: Sunday, June 06, 2010
Article comment by:
History Lesson for Dee Montgomery
Didn't some our founding fathers have slaves working their farms? Didn't one notable Thomas Jefferson father children of color? The 1980's may have began promoting diversity, but one of OUR founding fathers was practicing it.
Posted: Sunday, June 06, 2010
Article comment by:
Mychele Random
I feel sad for the community there, or lack thereof, but I feel saddest for the children. Actual children posed for that mural. Kids with names who live there. The student body apparently voted for the mural design and it was to have been them as a group of vibrant and responsible young citizens that was the focal point. And now a few of you who have no tact, no shame, and no apparent ability to think past your initial reaction, whether it be "ugh, that's not art to me," or "those aren't white kids and non-white kids make me sick, scared, threatened etc" have made this an issue as ugly as you think the mural and as ugly as what's in your hearts. You are telling each of those students, "you are ugly & I despise you." You may not think so, but that's what comes through despite your backpedalling and lame excuses.
I'm glad that there has been an outpouring of support for this mural because each of those students and the efforts they put into their school's is something to be proud of and beautiful in the eyes of many, many more people. I just wish you could get past pigmentation.
Ironically, right now, this weekend, how many rich white women & men are either in a tanning bed or sitting out by the pool trying to darken whilst a bunch of ninnies demand the kids in the mural be subjected to the Michael Jackson treatment???
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